To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will make representations to Her Majesty's Government to ensure that the £40 million collected in landfill tax in Scotland will be allocated to Scotland to be used in environmental improvement projects.

The Scottish Executive is in regular contact with Her Majesty’s Government on a wide range of issues.

It is not possible to assess accurately the amount of landfill tax paid in relation to waste which is landfilled in Scotland because the tax is assessed according to where operating companies are registered.

Records up to the end of 1998 from the tax credits scheme indicate that 12% of the UK scheme funds have been spent on environmental projects in Scotland (representing over £5 million). This compares with tax payments being paid by companies registered in Scotland amounting to 8% of the total UK landfill tax payments